Usyk vs Bellew

[MRudi]

I am rewatching older fights and I saw Usyk vs Bellew.
Can somebody explain me in simple terms how Bellew was ahead on the scorecards just prior to KO?

 

[Kovalev's "Man Bag"]

Because he was winning the fight prior? Bellew won the first half or most of it anyway and Usyk got off to an extremely slow start. Every time Usyk tried to get on the front foot Bellew would time him with a counter. Eventually Usyk figured him out and started to press more and more. The pressure exhausted Bellew and Usyk knocked him out. I haven't seen the fight in a few years but I remember it pretty well. I was the one that made the RBR thread in this forum back then that everybody was posting in on fight night.

 

[Kovalev's "Man Bag"]

I assume you mean on the official scorecards? Bellew was indeed up if I recall. However, BoxingScene actually had Usyk up by 1 point before he KO'd Bellew.

Edit. Yeah 2 judges had Bellew winning up until he was knocked senseless. The other judge had it a draw.

• Alejandro Cid: Scored the first seven rounds 68–65 in favor of Bellew
• Steve Gray: Scored the first seven rounds 67–66 in favor of Bellew
• Yury Koptsev: Had the fight 67–67 entering round 8

 

[randomg1t]

i remember being surprised when i heard bellew was ahead.

his game that night was basically to try and time usyk with a right hand, but he didn't do much else. it was enough to keep usyk wary for a while, but eventually he got bellew's timing down and started touching him at will. that KO was awesome.

it's a recurring theme in usyk's fights. he looks cautious and timid early, but by the mid rounds has his man figured out and puts the pressure on.

 

[Boxiana]

UK judging